Flexible container



G. K. GEERLINGS 7 FLEXIBLE CQNTAINER Filed March 28, 1934 F/G. 2 F/G. 3

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES FLEXIBLE CONTAINER Gerald K. Gcerlings, New Canaan, Conn.

Application March 28,

8 Claims.

My invention is directed to articles formed of material such as regenerated cellulose, gelatin and the like, which are characterized by their tendency, when once torn, to continue to tear in an unrestricted manner. In accordance with the invention set forth therein means are provided serving to prevent tearing of material such as regenerated cellulose or to limit or direct tearing of such materials so as to prevent tearing thereof beyond predetermined limits.

Bags, wrappers, envelopes and similar articles of manufacture when made of regenerated cellulose, or similar materials, are frequently damaged or destroyed in filling, applying or use, with the result that substantial losses occur in the packaging and handling of materials with which such articles of manufacture are used.

Certain features of the foregoing invention are particularly adapted for use in connection with bags, wrappers, envelopes and similar articles of manufacture, especially when the articles are formed of regenerated cellulose or other material having like tearing characteristics.

In accordance with the present invention bags,

wrappers, envelopes, packages and other articles of a like nature are provided with tear resisting means which may be employed either to prevent the starting of tears in the material of which the articles are formed or which may serve to limit or direct the tearing of the material to permit opening of the bag or other article without destroying the same. In many instances it is also desirable to provide bags or wrappers which have inner and outer layers of material having difierent characteristics. The present invention also contemplates the use of tear resisting means in combination with articles of this character.

One of the objects of the present invention is to reduce the tearing of bags, wrappers, envelopes, and similar articles.

Another object of my invention is to provide a. bag, wrapper or the like having tear resisting means carried thereby.

A further object of my invention is to provide a durable and serviceable bag or wrapper formed of non-fibrous, transparent material of which regenerated cellulose is an example.

Another object of my invention is to provide a bag, wrapper or the like formed of material capable of being readily torn having means serving to limit or direct tearing of the material of which the bag or wrapper is made.

A further object of my invention is to provide a package or wrapper formed of non-mus 1934, Serial No. 717,702

material capable of being torn to a predetermined or limited extent only.

Another object of my invention is to provide a double-walled bag or wrapper provided with tear resisting means.

A further object of my invention is to provide methods of forming articles having tear resisting means.

These and other objects and features of my invention will appear from the following description thereof in which reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing illustrating preferred forms of bags or wrappers embodying my invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspectiveof a portion of a. bag provided with tear resisting means embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a portion of the bag shown in Fig. 1 taken on the line 2-2;

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views of alternative constructions of articles embodying my invention;

Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, are sectional views of other alternative constructions adapted for use in forming double-walled bags or wrappers embodying my invention.

Figs. 9 and 10 are perspectives of webs of material adapted for use in forming articles embodying my invention.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate a wrapper and package respectively, embodying my invention.

In that form of my invention chosen for illustration in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, I have shown a well known type of bag formed of a. sheet of material 2 which may be regenerated cellulose or other material having similar tearing characteristics. In this construction tear resisting means are provided in the form of a strip of. material or a ribbon 5% located on the outer face of the bag and firmly and permanently secured thereto by means of adhesive or other suitable means. The strip 43 is shown spaced from the upper edge ii of the bag in position to permit tearing of that portion of the bag above the strip in a direction downwardly from the exposed edge 6 toward the tear resisting means 6. Bags 01 other articles formed in this manner may be readily opened by tearing that portion of the bag above the strip 3. However, such tears cannot extend downward y below t tear resisting means into the body of the bag but will extend along the edge 8 of said means, thus providing a smooth edge to the opened bag which enables the contents to he therefrom. In this way the bag itself is preserved and the contents can be kept fresh and clean.

The tear resisting means may be formed of any suitable material which is resistant to tearing or which serves to limit or direct tearing of the material of which the article is formed. As shown in Fig. 2, the tear resisting means comprises a strip of material folded to present an upper edge 8 which cannot easily be torn. The strip may be made of regenerated cellulose, fabric, paper or any other suitable material. If desired, the tear resisting means may be colored or given a characteristic appearance so as to serve as a trade mark or identification. The strip may also be provided with printed directions or may be made transparent so as to be practically unnoticeable. In any case the presence of the strip on the outer surface of the bag serves to prevent tearing of the material downward below the edge 8 thereof so that destruction or unlimited tearing of the bag or wrapper is prevented.

In Fig. 3 of the drawing, I have shown a construction adapted for use on bags, wrappers or the like wherein the tear resisting means 4 is located adjacent the top of the bag or along an edge of the wrapper to which it is applied. In this construction the wrapper resists any tear ing of the material whatever. Furthermore, the tear resisting means about the edge of the article prevents stretching or transverse strain on the material from causing tears to be started. For example, with tear resisting means of the type shown in Fig. 3 which extends about the top of the bag on either the inner or outer surface thereof the bag may be readily filled and if necessary the operator's or users hand may be inserted into the bag and any strain on the material will be transmitted to the tear resisting means rather than to the material of which the bag is made with the result that tears which so frequently'occur when the mouth of the bag is stretched are reduced or eliminated altogether. For this reason articles made in accordance with my invention are much more durable than present types of bags or wrappers formed of regenerated cellulose. Furthermore, by securing the edge of the material firmly to the tear resisting means there are no free edges or unsupported points in the margin of the material where tears or cracks may be started.

The construction shown in Fig. 4 is substantially the same as that illustrated in Fig. 3 but in this arrangement the material which serves as the tear resisting means extends beyond the edge of the material which forms the wrapper or bag proper. The function of the tear resisting means in preventing tears from starting in the material of which the article is formed is the same in this construction as in those previously described.

The construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive is particularly adapted for use in producing articles in a continuous operation by means of folding or forming machines. In devices of this character it is usually desirable to feed a strip or web of material into the machine and simultaneously to produce the desired tear resisting characteristics in the article being formed. This may be accomplished by feeding a web of material longitudinally into a machine such as a bag forming machine and to apply tear resisting means to the web as it is passing through the machine. If preferred, however, the tear resisting means may be applied to the web before it is fed to a forming machine. In either case the material when folded or formed into articles will be in the form of a web as shown in Figs. 9 or 10 with a plurality of spaced tear resisting means 4 extending either transversely or parallel to the edges of the web depending upon the nature of the article to be made and the type of folding or forming machine used.

Ordinarily it is preferable to apply the tear resisting means to the web of material'prior to severing that section or portion from which the bag or other article is to be formed. The web isthen severed or a. portion struck off transversely of the web as shown in dotted lines at it) in Figs. 9 and 10 to form separate articles.

When the tear resisting means are. applied transversely of the web as shown in Fig. 9 the web is usually severed between the spaced tear resisting means as shown. Each section may have that each section has only a single tear resisting element thereon. The line of severing may be directly adjacent the tear resisting means, as when forming bags or wrappers of the type shown in Fig. 3, or the line of severing may be spaced somewhat from the tear resisting means as when forming articles of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 2. However, in some instances the application of the tear resisting means to the material may take place simultaneously with the striking off or severing of the bag'or wrapper forming sections of the material, if desired.

The particular means or mechanical elements used for applying or affixing the tear resisting means to the material from which the bag or other article is to be made, and for striking off the sections of material to form bags or wrappers therefrom, may take any desired or usual form and will depend very largely upon the nature of the article to be produced and the type of forming machine used. For this reason I do not wish my invention to be limited to its application to any particular form of bag or wrapper or to any particular mechanism for forming or producing the same.

In those forms of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the article is formed of a single layer of material to which the tear resisting means is applied. However, the principle disclosed in these forms of my invention is also applicable to the construction of double-walled bags or wrappers. In Figs. 5 to 8 of the drawing, I have illustrated forms of my invention as applied to double-walled bags, wrappers and similar articles, such as are commercially employed in the distribution and sale of tobacco, nuts, food products and other articles which tend to stain or discolor regenerated cellulose or other material of which the outer layer of the wrapper or bag is formed. Bags used to package peanuts are often made with an inner layer of unwaterproofed regenerated cellulose and with an outer layer of waterproofed material to avoid discoloration which might occur as a result of the oil in the peanuts upon contact with the waterproofed material.

The construction shown in Fig. 5 comprises two layers of material I2 and I4 between which is placed a strip of filament l6 whichmay be av means in this case is in the form of a band or strip of material located between the inner and outer layers l2 and M from which the wrapper or other article is made. For this purpose I may use double-faced adhesive tape or the like made of fabric, regenerated cellulose, paper or other material resistant to tearing. The opposite faces of the tear resisting material are firmly secured to the adjacent faces of the inner and outer layers of the bag or wrapper. The tear resisting means may be spaced from the edge of the wrapper as shown in Fig. 6 to permit tearing thereof to a predetermined or. limited extent, or as shown in Fig. '7, the tear resisting means may be located directly adjacent the edges of the material so as to prevent any tearing of the material whatever. In the construction shown in Figs. 6 and '7 the tear resisting means may serve to secure the inner and outer layers of material together and in this case it is unnecessary to employ any other means for securing the inner layer of the bag or wrapper to the outer layer thereof.

In Fig. 8 I have illustrated a further alternative form of my invention in which the inner and outer layers of material from which the double-' walled bag is formed, are secured together by tear resisting means which overlaps the edge of one layer of the material and is secured to the adjacent face of the other layer of material. This construction provides a bag having an upper portion consisting of a single thickness of material so that the bag or wrapper may be opened easily whereas the additional strength and protection afforded by a second layer of material is presented throughout that portion of the article where it is most needed.

In utilizing my invention for forming packages or wrappers such as cigarette packages or the like the web of material shown in Fig. 9 may be severed so as to bring the tear resisting means in the positions indicated in Fig. 11. The material may then be folded about the package as shown in dotted lines, with the tear resisting means l located at or near the top of the package. With this construction the package may easily be opened by tearing away the top or a corner of the wrapper leaving a smooth straight edge on the torn package. Tearing of the material cannot extend downward below the upperedge of the tear resisting means and therefore the package or wrapper is not destroyed on opening the same. The advantages inherent in the use of materials such as waterproofed regenerated cellulose are therefore preserved and the wrapper or package retains its neat and attractive appearance.

The construction shown in Figs. 11 and 12 render it possible to form packages of regenerated cellulose alone, without any inner layers of wrapping material if desired. However, my invention is equally applicable for use with wrappers applied to packages or the like which have one or more layers of paper, metal foil or other material applied thereto before or during the operations by.which a wrapper embodying my invention is applied to the package.

In Fig. 12.1 have illustrated a package such as a cigarette package having tear resisting means applied to the wrapper after the package has been fully formed and wrapped. In this form of my invention the tear resisting means may be .a continuous strip 3 extending about the package at a suitable point near the top thereof and secured to the wrapping material 20. The strip 18 or other tear resisting means in this case may be applied in a separate operation to completed packages wrapped in any suitable manner. Only a single tear resisting element is required and this extends about the package over the folded portions at the sides thereof with the ends 22 of the strip meeting or overlapping on one face or at a corner or side of the package.

The function and operation of the tear resisting means in this form of my invention is substantially the same as in the other forms thereof described above but has the advantage of being simpleto apply without alteration in the present types of folding or wrapping machines. In this way the tear resisting means may be readily applied to packages previously formed and ready for use but which do not have the tear'limiting and directing features of articles embodying my invention.

It' is not essential to my invention that the strip 58 of Fig. 12 extend about the entire circumference of the package since in certain cases much the same result may be attained by positioning one or more tear resisting means at suitable points on the package to limit or direct tearing of the material. The strips of material or other tear resisting means thus applied may have the dealers or distributors name thereon or may be otherwise decorated or formed as desired,

The foregoing description of my invention and the various embodiments thereof illustrated in the drawing are typical of the numerous arrangements and modifications which may be made in the form and construction of products embodying my invention. It should, therefore, be understood that my invention is not limited to the particular construction and forms thereof herein shown and described, except as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A flexible container embodying a sheet of non-fibrous cellulosic material, one portion of which extends about the package contents and another portion of which serves to close the package, said second named portion positioned to provide a discharge mouth through which the contents may be removed, and flexible tear limiting means secured to and completely encircling the container and spaced inwardly from the mouth thereof, said tear limiting means presenting an edge resistant to tearing for stopping the progress of a tear.

2. A flexible container embodying a sheet'of non-fibrous cellulosic material, one portion of which extends about the package contents and another portion of which serves to close the pack age, said second named portion positioned to provide a discharge mouth through which the contents may be removed, and flexible tear limiting means completely encircling the container and made of the same material as the container, and secured thereto, and spaced inwardly from the mouth thereof, said tear limiting means presenting an edge which is secured to the container and resistant to tearing, for stopping the progress of a tear.

3. A flexible container embodying a sheet of non-fibrous cellulosic material, one portion of which extends about the package contents and another portion of which serves to close the package, said second named portion positioned to provide a discharge mouth through which the contents may be removed, and flexible tear limiting means secured to and completely encircling the container and spaced inwardly from the mouth thereof, said tear limiting means presenting a folded edge resistant to tearing for stopping the progress of a tear.

4. A flexible container embodying a sheet of non-fibrous cellulosic material, one portion of which extends about the package contents and another portion of which serves to close the package, said second named portion positioned to provide a discharge mouth through which the contents may be removed, and flexible tear limiting means completely encircling the container and made of the same material as the container, and secured thereto, and spaced inwardly from the mouth thereof, said tear limiting means presenting a folded edge which is secured to the container and resistant to tearing, for stopping the progress of a tear.

5. A flexible container embodying a sheet of non-fibrous cellulosic material, one portion of which extends about the package contents and another portion ofwhich serves to close the package, said second named portion being positioned to provide a discharge mouth through which the'contents may be removed and separately formed flexible tear limiting means secured to said sheet on the outside of the container in that portion thereof which extends about the package contents and extending over a plurality of faces of the container, in a direction parallel to an edge of said discharge mouth, said means presenting a folded edge more resistant to tearing than the body of said means, which edge faces toward said second named portion for stopping the progress of a tear initiated in said second named portion.

6. A flexible container embodying a sheet'of non-fibrous cellulosic material, one portion of which extends about the package contents and another portion of which serves to close the package, said second named portion, being positioned to provide a discharge mouth through which the contents may be removed and separately formed tear limiting means comprising a strip of material similar to that of which said sheet is formed and presenting a folded edge which is more resistant to tearing than the body of said strip, said strip being secured to the outside of the container in that portion thereof which extends about the package contents and extending over a plurality of faces of the container in a direction parallel to an edge of said discharge mouth, the folded edge of said strip being fixedly secured to the container and facing said second named portion of the container for stopping the progress of a tear initiated in said second named portion.

7. A flexible container embodying a plurality of sheets of non-fibrous cellulosic material, one portion of which extends about the package contents and another portion of which serves toclose the package, said second named portion being positioned to provide a discharge mouth through which the contents may be removed and separately formed flexible tear limiting means located between said sheets and extending over a plurality of faces of said container in a direction parallel to an edge of said discharge mouth, said means presenting an edge resistant to tearing facing said second named portion of the container for stopping the progress of a tear initiated in said second named portion.

8. A flexible container embodying a plurality of sheets of non-fibrous cellulosic material, one portion of which extends about the package contents and another portion of which serves to close the package, said second named portion being positioned to provide a discharge mouth through which the contents may be removed and separately formed flexible tear limiting means made of material similar to said sheets and engaging both of said sheets, said means extending over a plurality of faces of said container in a direction parallel to an edge of said discharge mouth and presenting an edge resistant to tear ing facing said second named portion of the container for stopping the progress of a tear initiated in said second named portion.

GERALD K. GEERLINGS. 

